PHOTO VIA SHELF LIFE BOOKS AND GIFTS FACEBOOK PAGE
Shelf Life Books and Gifts (Instagram | Website), an independent bookstore that opened in Altamonte Springs in February, is hosting a Pride Month event called Read With Pride on Saturday, June 20, starting at noon.
“We opened this store as a place for the community, and that of course includes the LGBTQIA community,” Farrall said. “It’s so important, right now especially, to make that clear and celebrate both diversity and queer expression, because those are increasingly under threat. So we invite all our friends and neighbors in Altamonte and throughout Central Florida to join us.”
The store, located just west of I-4 on Westmonte Drive, has been functioning in part as a community gathering space since opening, hosting book signings and weekly events alongside its retail operation. Saturday’s event spotlights local LGBTQIA+ authors and culture and runs throughout the day with a lineup that includes Drag Story Time, queer trivia in the evening, a letter-writing station for queer youth in need of support, a Pride-themed photo area, a community journaling wall, Pride Month staff picks, a blind date with a book option, bookmark decorating, and a pronoun pin bar alongside exclusive merchandise.
Shelf Life Books and Gifts is located at 185 S. Westmonte Drive [GMap].
